Sphinx Conference: Igniting Diversity in the Arts

We at WPA are often reflecting on how our goals of incorporating women into the classical canon are parallel to those who work for racial and ethnic diversity in the music world. Plus, Black History Month – February – is adjacent to Women’s History Month, and that connection is also something to be celebrated. So we were happy to read received this email about the Sphinx Convention, starting today in Detroit:

SphinxCon brings together leaders discussing solutions to the challenges surrounding diversity in the performing arts. The conference is Friday, Feb. 5 from 3-9pm ET, & Saturday, Feb. 6 from 9am-9pm ET at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, and DPTV will bring you both days live onhttp://dptv.org/sphinx.

Three key areas of focus during SphinxCon: Ignite to Action will include:

Ignite Philanthropy: Join conversations on the current trends in philanthropy in the area of diversity

Arts to Drive Social Change: See the arts through the lens of relevance to society

DPTV will also stream the Sphinx Finals Concert on Sunday, Feb. 7 from 2-4pm ET. The Sphinx Competition is where some of tomorrow’s stars of classical music first got their chance to shine, in particular artists of Latino and African American heritage — people historically underrepresented in American orchestras and symphonies.

Now in its 19th year, the Sphinx Finals Concert features the three senior division finalists accompanied by the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra. In addition to a performance by the junior winner, audience members will get to text in their vote for the Audience Choice Award.

This national presentation of Sphinxcon and the Sphinx Finals Concert is part of DPTV’s #OneDetroit commitment to telling Detroit’s story. No city in America understands the importance of strong, diverse voices than Detroit. To learn more, visit http://dptv.org/onedetroit.